Releasable cap for a vaporization assembly of a portable electronic vaporizing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cap that is configured to releasably cover an inlet of a vaporization assembly for a portable electronic vaporizing device. The cap comprises a first inner cap portion, a second outer cap portion, a channel formed in between the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portion, a cap inlet, and a cap outlet. The cap is configured to flow gas therethrough from the cap inlet to the cap outlet via the channel, to introduce gas into the vaporization assembly, when the cap is positioned to cover the inlet of the vaporization assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/315,471 filed on May 10, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,140,924,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/133,008filed on Dec. 23, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,000,067, which claimspriority to U.S. provisional application No. 63/087,348 filed on Oct. 5,2020. The entire contents of the above patent documents are incorporatedby reference as if recited in full herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to portable electronicvaporizing devices for use with vaporizable products.

BACKGROUND

Electronic vaporizers are common place and are generally utilized forthe purpose of aroma and/or inhalation therapy. In this regard,vaporizers heat a substance, herbs for example, such as tobacco,cannabis, lavender, chamomile, and many other types of plant material.The vaporizer may work by heating the substance through the use ofdirect heat or the use of hot air. There are three common ways ofheating the substance. The first is thermal conduction where thesubstance is set directly on a heating element such as a ceramic ormetal plate. The second is thermal radiation in which light is used toheat the substance. The third is convection where hot air is passed overthe substance. Yet another suitable mechanism for vaporizing a substancemay be via inductive heating.

At lower levels of heat, vapors extracted from substances such asvegetable materials are mainly aroma therapeutic (inactive fragrance)and do not usually contain the active ingredients of the substance.Without the active ingredients being present, there is no physiologicalreaction. At higher levels of heat, active ingredients will beincreasingly included in the vapor given off during heating. Usually,aromatic vapors have already been released and are not always present atthe higher heat levels. With some substances, such as cannabis, activeingredients appear at different levels of heat.

After the substance is heated a mist or vapor containing some aspect ofthe substance is released and either enjoyed as an aromatic or inhaledto obtain a physiological reaction. The warm air containing thesubstance product can be harsh on the throat and bronchial tubes.Accordingly, some vaporizers use a cooling down process that allowswater moisture to be included in the vapor produced. These vaporizersenable the user to inhale a cool moist vapor that is relatively lessharsh and irritating. Vaporizers are often preferred over traditionalmethods of heating or smoking substances due to the reduction of harshside effects. Some of these side effects include inhalation of tar,carbon monoxide, and other carcinogens either directly or from secondhand smoke. With many states imposing smoking bans in public areas,vaporizers have become popular substitutes.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved vaporizers that provide anenhanced vaporizing experience, including vaporizers with improvedquality of the vapor produced for inhalation and improved ease of use.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention are directed to a system comprising a wirelesscharging station and a portable electronic vaporizing device, whereinthe portable electronic vaporizing device comprises: a vaporizationassembly comprising a container to receive a vaporizable product, and aheating device configured to transfer energy to the vaporizable productin the container to heat the vaporizable product and form a vaportherefrom; a mouthpiece for receiving a flow of gas comprising thevaporizable product entrained therein from the vaporization assembly,the mouthpiece comprising an inhalation outlet through which the flow ofgas having the vaporizable product therein can exit the portableelectronic device; and a base comprising a device battery for poweringthe heating device, and a wireless charge receiving system configured toreceive a wireless charge from the charging station to charge the devicebattery. The wireless charging station comprises a wireless chargeproviding system configured to provide a wireless charge to the wirelesscharge receiving system of the base, a wireless charging station batteryconfigured to provide power to the wireless charge providing system, awireless charging station sensor configured to detect a predeterminedspatial relationship between the wireless charge receiving system of thebase and the wireless charge providing system of the wireless chargingstation, and a wireless charging station controller configured toactivate the wireless charge providing system to automatically initiatewireless charging to the wireless charge receiving system of the base,in relation to detection of the predetermined spatial relationshipbetween the wireless charge receiving system of the base and thewireless charge providing system of the charging station by the wirelesscharging station sensor.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a wireless chargingstation is provided that is configured to charge a portable electronicdevice, the portable electronic device comprising a base comprising adevice battery for powering the portable electronic device, and awireless charge receiving system configured to receive a wireless chargefrom the charging station to charge the device battery, wherein thewireless charging station comprises: a wireless charge providing systemconfigured to provide a wireless charge to the wireless charge receivingsystem of the base, a wireless charging station battery configured toprovide power to the wireless charge providing system, a wirelesscharging station sensor configured to detect a predetermined spatialrelationship between the wireless charge receiving system of the baseand the wireless charge providing system of the wireless chargingstation, and a wireless charging station controller configured toactivate the wireless charge providing system to automatically initiatewireless charging to the wireless charge receiving system of the base,in relation to detection of the predetermined spatial relationshipbetween the wireless charge receiving system of the base and thewireless charge providing system of the charging station by the wirelesscharging station sensor.

According to yet another aspect of the invention a system comprising awireless charging base and a portable electronic vaporizing device isprovided, wherein the portable electronic vaporizing device comprises: avaporization assembly comprising a container to receive a vaporizableproduct, and a heating device configured to transfer energy to thevaporizable product in the container to heat the vaporizable product andform a vapor therefrom, a mouthpiece for receiving a flow of gascomprising the vaporizable entrained therein from the vaporizationassembly, the mouthpiece comprising an inhalation outlet through whichthe flow of gas having the vaporizable product therein can exit theportable electronic device, and a base comprising: a device battery forpowering the heating device, a wireless charge receiving systemconfigured to receive a wireless charge from the charging station tocharge the device battery, and a base sensor configured to detectwhether the base is positioned with respect to the charging station suchthat a wireless charge can be received from the charging station tocharge the wireless charge receiving system; and a heating controllerconfigured to control the heating device. The wireless charging stationcomprises a wireless charge providing system configured to provide awireless charge to the wireless charge receiving system of the base, anda wireless charging station battery configured to provide power to thewireless charge providing system. The base sensor is configured todetect whether the base is positioned to receive the wireless charge bydetecting a predetermined spatial relationship between the wirelesscharge receiving system of the base and the wireless charge providingsystem of the wireless charging station, and the heating controller isconfigured to automatically initiate a heating cycle with the heatingdevice, when it is detected that the wireless charge receiving systemand wireless charge providing system are no longer in the predeterminedspatial relationship.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a portable electronicvaporizing device is provided that is configured to be wireless chargedby a battery-powered wireless charging station comprising a receivingregion configured to receive the portable electronic vaporizing device,wherein the portable electronic vaporizing device comprises: avaporization assembly comprising a container to receive a vaporizableproduct, and a heating device configured to transfer energy to thevaporizable product in the container to heat the vaporizable product andform a vapor therefrom, a mouthpiece for receiving a flow of gascomprising the vaporizable entrained therein from the vaporizationassembly, the mouthpiece comprising an inhalation outlet through whichthe flow of gas having the vaporizable product therein can exit theportable electronic device, and a base comprising: a device battery forpowering the device, a wireless charge receiving system configured toreceive a wireless charge from the charging station to charge the devicebattery, a base sensor configured to detect whether the base ispositioned with respect to the charging station such that a wirelesscharge can be received from the charging station to charge the wirelesscharge receiving system, and a heating controller configured to controlthe heating device. The base sensor is configured to detect whether thebase is positioned to receive the wireless charge by detecting apredetermined spatial relationship between the wireless charge receivingsystem of the base and the wireless charge providing system of thewireless charging station, and the heating controller is configured toautomatically initiate a heating cycle with the heating device, when itis detected that the wireless charge receiving system and wirelesscharge providing system are no longer in the predetermined spatialrelationship.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a cap configured toreleasably cover an inlet of vaporization assembly for a portableelectronic vaporizing device is provided, wherein the cap comprises: afirst inner cap portion comprising an outer sidewall, a second outer capportion comprising an inner sidewall that at least partlycircumferentially surrounds the outer sidewall of the inner cap portion,a channel formed in between the first inner cap portion and the secondouter cap portion, the channel having first and second opposing ends, acap inlet configured to flow gas into the first end of the channel, anda cap outlet to configured to exhaust gas from the second end of thechannel, wherein the cap is configured to flow gas therethrough from thecap inlet to the cap outlet via the channel, to introduce gas into thevaporization assembly, when the cap is positioned to cover the inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one ormore of these drawings in combination with the detailed description ofspecific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 shows embodiments of a portable electronic vaporizing devicecomprising a base, atomizer and mouthpiece;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 4A-4D shows an embodiment of a base;

FIG. 5 shows a close-up schematic view of the device of FIG. 1

FIGS. 6A-6C show embodiments of an atomizer;

FIGS. 7-11 show views of embodiments of components of an atomizer;

FIG. 12 shows views of embodiments of a mouthpiece;

FIGS. 13A-13J show views of another embodiment of a base for theportable electronic vaporizing device, according to aspects of theinvention;

FIGS. 14A-14J show views of an embodiment of a charging station,according to aspects of the invention;

FIGS. 15A-15J show views of embodiments of the base of FIGS. 13A-13J asdocked with the charging station of FIGS. 14A-14J;

FIG. 16 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the base of FIGS.13A-13J as docked with the charging station of FIGS. 14A-14J;

FIG. 17 shows a sectional schematic side view of an embodiment of thebase of FIGS. 13A-13J as docked with the charging station of FIGS.14A-14J;

FIG. 18A shows a exploded view of the embodiment of the charging stationof FIGS. 14A-14J;

FIG. 18B shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the base of FIGS.13A-13J;

FIGS. 19A-19B are partial schematic sectional views of the embodiment ofthe charging station of FIGS. 14A-14J;

FIGS. 20-21 are partial exploded views showing docking of portions ofthe base of FIGS. 13A-13J with the charging station of FIGS. 14A-14J;

FIGS. 22A-22B are partial sectional and schematic views of the base ofFIGS. 13A-13J, showing an embodiment of a wireless charge receivingsystem;

FIG. 23 is another partial exploded view showing docking of portions ofthe base of FIGS. 13A-13J with the charging station of FIGS. 14A-14J;

FIGS. 24A-24B are sectional schematic views of an embodiment of anatomizer for the portable electronic vaporizing device;

FIGS. 25A-25B are a schematic side view, and a top view, of anembodiment of a base and atomizer for the portable electronic vaporizingdevice;

FIG. 26 is a sectional schematic side view of an embodiment of anatomizer and base for a portable electronic vaporizing device, showing aheating element and temperature sensor;

FIGS. 27A-27B are sectional schematic side views of an embodiment of anatomizer and base for a portable electronic vaporizing device, withtemperature sensor;

FIG. 28 is an exploded side view of an embodiment of an atomizer;

FIGS. 29A-29B are perspective views of embodiment of a base and atomizerwith an engagement feature for a portable electronic vaporizing device;

FIG. 30A is a perspective side view of an embodiments of an atomizerwith an engagement feature;

FIG. 30B is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a base withreceiving feature;

FIGS. 31A-31B are exploded side views of an embodiment of an atomizerand cap;

FIGS. 32A-32I are further views of an embodiment of an atomizer withcap;

FIGS. 33A-33B are sectional schematic side views of an embodiment of anatomizer with cap, showing the cap rotated 180° C. between views;

FIGS. 34A-34G are views of an embodiment of a cap;

FIGS. 35A-35B are top and bottom perspective views of the cap of FIGS.34A-34G;

FIG. 36 is an exploded side view of an embodiment of a cap with innerand outer cap portions; and

FIGS. 37A-37D are sectional side views of embodiments of a cap, with thecap rotated between views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention as described herein are directed to an improvedportable electronic vaporizing device for the inhalation of vaporizablesubstances, such as aromatic substances, therapeutic substances and/orsubstances with physiological effects. Examples of such substances caninclude herbs, such as tobacco, cannabis, lavender, chamomile, and othertypes of plant material. In one embodiment, a vaporizable substance cancomprise a cannabinoid, such as for example one or more of cannabadiol(a generally non-psychoactive therapeutic substance) andtetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (a psychoactive therapeutic substance). Thevaporizable substance may in some embodiments be in the form of an oiland/or wax product comprising the vaporizable substance, e.g., asextracted from plant material containing the substance, and mayoptionally be provided in combination with carriers or other additives.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a portable electronic vaporizingdevice 1 is shown according to aspects of the disclosure herein. Theportable electronic device 1 comprises a base 2, an atomizer 3, and amouthpiece 4. The atomizer 3 is configured to receive a vaporizableproduct therein and to heat the vaporizable product to form a vaportherefrom. The mouthpiece 4 comprises an outlet where a user can inhalethe vapor produced by the atomizer, optionally with water or othersubstances entrained therein. The base 2 provides a gas flow connectionbetween the atomizer 3 and mouthpiece 4, to deliver the vaporizedproduct from the atomizer 3 to the mouthpiece 4 for delivery to the usevia inhalation thereof. The base 2 can also comprise a housing for oneor more components for powering and/or controlling the device 1. Forexample, the base may contain compartments therein for storing a powersource, such as a battery, for powering elements of the device 1 such asa heating element or other heating device used in the atomizer 3. In acase where the device is powered by a rechargeable battery, such as alithium ion battery, the base 2 may also comprise a charging portconnectable to a battery charger (not shown). The base may also havecompartment doors to allow access to a battery or other components heldwithin the housing. The base 2 may also house further control circuitryfor controlling the device, such as to provide predetermined heatingcycles or heating programs, and may also allow for user interaction withthe device via control buttons and/or control interface, a displayand/or lights to signal to the user, and/or other control and operationfeatures.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the device 1 is shown in explodedview, with the mouthpiece 4 and atomizer 3 removed from the base 2. Inone embodiment, the mouthpiece 4 is removably attachable to the base 2,for example so as to allow a user to readily remove the mouthpiece forcleaning and/or replacement, as is described in further detail herein.In yet another embodiment, the atomizer may be removably attachable tothe base, for example so as to allow a user to replace the atomizer 3when no longer serviceable, for cleaning of the atomizer, and/or to morereadily allow access to a container (e.g. bowl) where a vaporizableproduct may be loaded into the atomizer 3. In one embodiment, both theatomizer 3 and the mouthpiece 4 may be removably attachable to the base2. In yet another version, the atomizer 3 may be independently removablefrom the base 2. That is, the atomizer 3 may be configured to beremovably attached to the base such that it can be removed therefrom,without requiring that the mouthpiece 2 be removed beforehand.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an embodiment of a gas flow path through theportable electronic device 1 is shown. In one embodiment, a flow ofambient air is received in the atomizer 3, where the ambient air isentrained with vaporizable product that is vaporized in the atomizer viaa heating element. The gas comprising the ambient air and vaporizableproduct flows from the atomizer 3 to a portion of the base 2 having agas flow conduit therein, and which provide a sealed gas flow connectionbetween the atomizer 3 and mouthpiece 4. The gas received into themouthpiece 4, where it is directed to an inhalation outlet of themouthpiece, where the gas comprising the vaporizable product can beinhaled by the user. In one embodiment, water is provided a region ofthe mouthpiece 4 such that water is entrained with the gas passingthrough the mouthpiece, thereby providing a more pleasant inhalationexperience to the user. An embodiment of an overall flow path of gasthrough the device 1 is depicted via dashed lines in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, embodiments of the base 2, and mechanism ofattachment of the base 2 to one or more of the atomizer 3 and mouthpiece4 are described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the base 2comprises a gas flow path conduit 200 therein, the gas flow path conduit200 comprising a conduit inlet 201 a and a conduit outlet 201 b, anembodiment of which may also be viewed with respect to FIG. 5 . Theconduit inlet 201 a receives gas exhausted from the atomizer 3, andprovides a flow of gas to the mouthpiece 4. In one embodiment, one ormore airtight seals are formed between the base 2 and/or the atomizer 3and mouthpiece 4, so as to create an airtight gas flow path between fromthe atomizer, through the gas flow path conduit 200 in the base 2, andto the mouthpiece 4. In the embodiment as shown, the gas flow conduit200 in the base separates an atomizer internal gas flow path from amouthpiece internal flow path.

According to one embodiment, the atomizer 3 and/or mouthpiece 4 areremovably attachable to the base 2 via a fastening feature 202 thatallows for repeated removal and re-insertion of the atomizer 3 and/ormouthpiece 4 into the base. In one embodiment, the fastening feature 202may be located on the base 2, and/or the fastening feature 202 may belocated on one or more of the atomizer 3 and mouthpiece, and/or thecomponents may have mutually complementary fastening features that allowfor repeatable removal and re-attachment of the atomizer 3 and/ormouthpiece 4 to the base 2.

In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the base 2 comprises firstand second recessed regions 203 a and 203 b, comprising cavities formedin the base 2 that are configured to receive at least a portion of theatomizer 3 and mouthpiece therein. For example, the base can comprise afirst recessed region 203 a configured to receive at least a portion ofthe atomizer 3 therein, and a second recessed region 203 b configured toreceive at least a portion of the mouthpiece 4 therein. In oneembodiment, the fastening feature 202 is provided as part of the base,and can comprise one or more airtight sealing members 204 a, 204 blocated in the base, such as a first airtight sealing member 204 aprovided in the first recessed region to retain the atomizer therein,and/or a second airtight sealing member 204 b provided in the secondrecessed region to retain the mouthpiece 4 therein. In yet anotherembodiment, the fastening feature 202 may be provided on the atomizerand/or mouthpiece. For example, the mouthpiece 4 may comprise a snapregion 401 that is configured to be received by the second recessedregion of the base, and that comprises a fastening feature 202 thereonto retain the step region in the base. In one embodiment, the fasteningfeature that removably retains one or more of the atomizer and/ormouthpiece in their respective recessed region is also capable ofproviding an airtight seal between the base and atomizer and/ormouthpiece. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4B, an airtight sealingmember 204 c can be provided about the gas conduit outlet 201 b toprovide an airtight connection to the mouthpiece inlet.

In one embodiment, the base 2 is capable of forming a first airtightcompartment 205 a via airtight seal with the atomizer, and/or is capableof forming a second airtight compartment 205 b via an airtight seal withthe mouthpiece 4, as shown in FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the basecomprises a first recessed receiving region 203 a formed therein that isconfigured to receive the atomizer 3, the first recessed receivingregion 203 a comprising an annular sealing region 204 a provided aboutan internal circumference 206 a of the first recessed receiving region,to form the airtight compartment between the base and atomizer in theportion of the first recessed region below the annular sealing region.In another embodiment, the base comprises a second recessed receivingregion 203 b formed therein that is configured to receive themouthpiece, the second recessed receiving region 203 b comprising anannular sealing region 204 b provided about an internal circumference206 b of the second recessed receiving region, to form the airtightcompartment between the base and mouthpiece in the portion of the secondrecessed region below the annular sealing region.

In one embodiment, an annular sealing region provided about a recessedcavity in the base, and/or about a circumference of the atomizer and/ormouthpiece, comprises an elastomeric, rubber and/or silicone material.In another embodiment, the base 2 comprises one or more elastomeric,rubber and/or silicone sleeves 208 conformally lining one or morerecessed regions 203 a,203 b, and/or the conduit 200. In one embodiment,the sleeve 208 may be a single sleeve piece lining at least a portion ofthe recessed regions 203 a, 203 and conduit. According to yet anotherembodiment, at least one of the atomizer and mouthpiece can comprise anelastomeric, rubber and/or silicone sleeve conformally lining at least apart of a surface thereof that is received by first and/or secondrecessed regions of the base. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve 208provided in one or more of the recessed regions 203 a, 203 b comprisesone or more annular protrusions extending therefrom, such as by moldingof the sleeve material to form the protrusions, which can serve asairtight sealing members 204 a, 204 b between the base and atomizerand/or mouthpiece.

In one embodiment, the base 2 comprises a second recessed receivingregion 203 b formed therein that is configured to receive the snapregion 401 of the mouthpiece 4, the second recessed receiving regioncomprising the annular sealing region 204 b provided about an internalcircumference thereof, to form an airtight compartment between the baseand snap region of the mouthpiece in the portion of the second recessedregion below the annular sealing region. In yet another embodiment, thesecond recessed receiving region further comprises the annular sealingregion 204 c about the conduit outlet 201 b to form an airtight sealbetween the conduit outlet 204 c and a mouthpiece inlet 402. In oneembodiment, the gas flow path conduit outlet 201 b in the base islocated below the annular sealing region 204 b in the second recessedregion, such that an interface between the gas flow path conduit outletin the base, and the mouthpiece inlet is located in an airtightcompartment portion of the second recessed receiving region. In oneembodiment, the annular sealing region 204 b, 204 c comprises at leastone of a rubber, elastomeric, and a silicone material.

As described above, in one embodiment the base 2 comprises a housing 209that is configured to house a power source 210 for powering a heatingdevice such as a heating element 8 in the atomizer 3, and optionallycomprises one or more control elements for operating components of thedevice 1. For example, in one embodiment the power source 210 cancomprise a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. Thehousing may also contain outlets to connect the device with anelectrical outlet and/or other devices, and may house control elementssuch a CPUs and/or wireless transmitters for controlling heating andvapor production with the device, either via direct or wireless inputinto the device by a user.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C and 7-11 , an embodiment of an atomizer 3 isdescribed. In the embodiment as shown, the atomizer 3 is removablyattachable to the base, an includes an atomizer inlet 301 configured toreceive a flow of gas into the atomizer 3, and an atomizer housing 10comprising one or more atomizer housing walls 304 that at leastpartially define an atomizer internal flow path therein. The atomizer 3is further configured to contain a container 7 (e.g., a bowl) within theatomizer housing 302 that is capable of holding a vaporizable producttherein. The atomizer further comprises a heating element 8 capable ofheating the vaporizable product held in the container 7. According tothe embodiment as showing, the atomizer comprises a first containerinlet 305 capable of introducing gas into the container 7 to entrainvaporizable product therein, and comprises one or more second containeroutlets 306 capable of flowing the gas having the vaporizable productentrained therein into an atomizer internal flow path 308. Embodimentsof the atomizer 3 comprise one or more atomizer outlets 309 capable ofreceiving the flow of gas from the atomizer internal flow path 308, andproviding the flow of gas to the conduit inlet 201 a of the base 2.

According to one embodiment, the at least one heating element 8 isdisposed within the atomizer housing 10. For example, the at least oneheating element 8 may be disposed below a bottom surface 310 of thecontainer 7 that is adapted to receive the vaporizable product therein.In one embodiment, the heating element comprises a ceramic heatingplate, such as an alumina plate, and may also comprise, e.g. a metalwire, coil, or other element that is capable of resistively heating, andwhich may also be embedded in a ceramic or glass heating plate or usedalone. The heating element 8 may be capable of resistively heating thecontainer 7 via thermal contact therewith, as in direct contact with thebottom surface 310. In one embodiment, the heating element 8 is attachedto conductive elements such as wires leading to the power source (e.g.battery) to provide an applied voltage for the resistive heating. In oneembodiment, the container 7 adapted to receive and hold the vaporizableproduct comprises a thermally conductive ceramic material, such asalumina, such that placing the container is in thermal contact with theheating element causes heating of the container.

According to yet another embodiment, the atomizer 3 comprises a bottominsulating element 9 comprising a spacer disposed between the heatingelement 8 and atomizer housing 10 that thermally insulates the heatingelement 8 from the atomizer housing 10. According to another embodiment,the atomizer 3 comprise a top insulating element 311 that thermallyinsulates a top end 313 of the container 7 from the atomizer housing 10.In one embodiment, the top insulating element 311 is configured toreceive a cap 17 thereon. For example in one embodiment, the device 1 isconfigured to operate with a cap 17 (FIG. 6B) positioned upstream of theatomizer 3, the cap comprising a stopper having a conduit 314 formedtherein to provide a flow of ambient air into the atomizer 3. In oneembodiment, the container 7 is thermally insulated from the atomizerhousing 10 by both the bottom insulating element 9 that positions thecontainer within the housing at a bottom end of the container, and thetop insulating element 311 that positions a top end of the container inthe housing. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6C, the top insulatingelement 311 comprises inner and outer annular insulating rings 5, 6. Inone embodiment, an inner circumference of the inner annular insulating 5ring defines the atomizer inlet 301, and is in communication with thefirst inlet 305 of the container 7. In the embodiment as shown in FIG.6A, the atomizer inlet 301 is directly above the first inlet 305, and/orthe atomizer inlet 301 and first container inlet may comprise the sameinlet. That is, in one embodiment, the atomizer inlet may be alignedwith and lead to a container inlet positioned below the inner annularring 5 of the top insulating element 311.

In one embodiment, the atomizer 3 comprises an outer annular ring 6 thatforms an annular jacket that is flush with the outer surface of theinner annular ring 5, and extends in an axial direction beyond the innerannular ring such that a portion of the interior surface of the outerannular ring is in contact with an outer surface of the atomizer housing10. In one embodiment, the outer annular ring 6 may secure the innerannular ring 5 to the atomizer housing 10 via frictional forces and/orvia a snap mechanism or other fastening mechanism between a portion ofthe interior surface of the outer annular ring and the outer surface ofthe atomizer housing. In one embodiment, the outer annular ringcomprises an annular jacket that forms an airtight seal with theatomizer housing.

In one embodiment, one or more of the inner and outer annular rings 5, 6are capable of thermally isolating the container 7 from the atomizerhousing 10, by having a lower thermal conductivity. For example, one ormore of the inner and outer annular insulating rings can comprise athermal conductivity of less than 4 W/mk, less than 3.5 W/mk and/or lessthan 3 W/mk, whereas the container may comprise a thermal conductivityof at least 10 W/mk, at least 15 w/mk and/or at least 20 W/mk. In oneembodiment, a bottom surface 315 of the inner annular insulating ring 5is in contact with an upper surface 316 of the container 7.

In one embodiment, one or more of the container 7 and/or thermallyinsulating element 311, such as the inner annular ring 5, comprise oneor more apertures 318 therein that correspond to the one or morecontainer second outlets 306. For example, in one embodiment the innerannular ring 5 comprises one or more indentations 320 formed in thebottom surface 315 thereof, such as about a circumference thereof, whichform one or more apertures 318 between the bottom surface 315 of theinner annular ring 5 and the top surface 316 of the container 7. In yetanother embodiment, the inner annular ring 5 comprises one or moreapertures formed in the body thereof, such as about a circumferencethereof, to provide the one or more container outlets. In yet anotherembodiment, the container itself comprises one or more apertures 318formed in one or more walls thereof, wherein the one or more aperturescomprise the one or more second container outlets 306. According tocertain embodiments, first container inlet 305 introduces a gas flowreceived through the inner insulating annular ring 5 into the container7, and the one or more second container outlets 306 flow gas out of thecontainer through the one or more apertures 318. The second containeroutlets 306 may thus be a separate aperture and/or opening than thefirst container inlet 305, such that air comes through the inlet andpasses through a separate outlet when exiting the container 7.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the top insulating element 311 isremovable from the atomizer housing 10 to allow access to the container7. For example, the insulating element 311 may be removable by simplylifting or twisting the top insulating element form the atomizer housing10. According to yet another embodiment, the atomizer housing 10comprises a lower portion 322 that is threaded, and that may becomplementary to a threaded socket in the first recessed region 203 a ofthe base 2, so the atomizer can be screwed into the threaded socket ofthe base. In yet another embodiment a lower portion of the atomizerhousing may connects to the base via a magnet, span mechanism or otherfastening feature.

According to one embodiment, atomizer housing at least partially directgas from the one or more second container gas outlets 306 along theinternal atomizer gas flow path 308 (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 6B),in a passage 324 formed between walls of the container 7 and theatomizer housing 10. The atomizer housing 10 can comprises one or moreapertures/outlets 309 formed therein to flow gas from the internalatomizer gas flow path 308 to the airtight passage 207 that is externalto the atomizer housing in the first recessed region 203 a of the base2. In one embodiment, the atomizer housing apertures/outlets 309 arelocated at a lower end of the atomizer housing, and the atomizer housing10 redirects flow of the gas from the one or more second container gasoutlets 306 in a downward direction along a passage 324 formed betweenthe housing walls and container walls, to the atomizer housingapertures/outlets 309. As shown in FIG. 6B, in one embodiment a flow ofgas through the atomizer 8 comprises a flow through the first containerinlet into a top of the container, flow out of the container throughsecond container outlets that are separate from the inlet, and that aretowards a top 313 of the container, flow downward between the atomizerhousing and container wall towards a bottom of the atomizer and throughapertures of the atomizer towards the bottom of the atomizer housing.

In one embodiment, the one or more second container outlets 306 arelocated radially externally to the first container inlet 305, and/or arepositioned in an arrangement circumferentially surrounding the firstcontainer inlet 305. The second container outlets 306 may also belocated towards a top end of the atomizer and/or container. In a furtherembodiment, the apertures and/or outlets 309 for exhausting gas from theatomizer are located below the first container inlet and/or secondcontainer outlet, towards a lower end of the atomizer.

Further embodiments of the atomizer are described herein. For example,in one embodiment, inside the atomizer housing 10, a containercomprising a bowl 7 is positioned on top of the heating element 8, andmay be made of a highly thermally conductive material, which can includeceramic, quartz, or metals, allowing efficient heat transfer. Theheating element 8 and the bowl 7 may be secured and insulated by thebottom insulating element 9 and top insulating element 311 respectively,with these two elements firmly locating the heating element 8 and bowl 7within the atomizer. These two elements are made with low thermallyconductive, yet high heat withstanding, material so that minimal heat islost from the heating element and bowl. The top insulating elementcomprises an outer annular ring comprising sleeve 6, made of aninsulating material, like silicone or plastic. The sleeve 6 fastens tothe housing 10 and makes an airtight seal while the inner annular ring 5insulates and positions the bowl 7. The sleeve 6 may also protect theuser from heat and serves as a grip for screwing and unscrewing theatomizer.

According to certain embodiment, air may enter the top of the bowlthrough a cap 17. The cap 17 may be capable of directing high velocityair to the bottom of the bowl, where the material is vaporized. Air thenexits the top of the bowl as vapor through the second outlets which areapertures in the inner annular ring 5 above the bowl. Theseslots/apertures could also be cut into the top of the bowl. The vaportravels through the slots in the inner annular ring and down a gapformed between the bowl and the atomizer housing. The vapor can leavesthe bottom of the atomizer and travels through an airpath into themouthpiece. FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view of the assembledatomizer with the cap and illustrates the airflow through the atomizer,entering through the cap and exiting out of the bottom of the atomizer.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 12 , embodiments of the mouthpiece 4 arefurther described. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 4 is removablyattachable to the base 2. The mouthpiece can generally comprise amouthpiece housing 408, comprising one or more mouthpiece walls 410 atleast partly defining a mouthpiece internal flow path 412 through themouthpiece housing (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3 ). The mouthpiece canfurther comprises the inhalation outlet 406 formed in a region of theone or more mouthpiece walls 410, such as towards a top end 405 of themouthpiece 4. The mouthpiece can further comprise at least onemouthpiece inlet 402 capable of being placed in communication with theconduit outlet 201 b of the base 2 upon attachment of the mouthpiece 4to the base 2, to receive a flow of gas into the mouthpiece 4 from thebase 2. In some embodiments a gas flowed through the mouthpiece from themouthpiece inlet 402 to the inhalation outlet 406, may take a convolutedpath through the interior volume of the mouthpiece and along theinternal flow path, such as for example when a water filtering region isprovided as part of the mouthpiece.

In one embodiment, the mouthpiece comprises a snap region 401 that isconfigured to removably attach the mouthpiece to the base. For example,in one embodiment, the base can comprises the second recessed receivingregion 203 b for receiving the mouthpiece therein via the snap region401, which may be shaped and sized to fit within the second recessesreceiving region. The snap region 401 may be located at the bottom end404 of the mouthpiece, an in certain embodiments the mouthpiece inlet402 may located in the snap region 401, of the mouthpiece. In oneembodiment, the second receiving region 403 b may be at least partiallylined with a rubber, silicone, and/or elastomeric sleeve to conformallymate the second recessed region with the snap region of the mouthpiece.

In yet another embodiment, the mouthpiece comprises one or more a waterfiltering regions 414 a, 414 b, capable of holding a volume of watertherein, the water filtering region being located along the mouthpieceinternal flow path, such that water vapor becomes entrained into gaspassing through water in the water filtering region. In the embodimentas shown in FIG. 3 , a volume of water can be provided to partly fill ininternal volume of the mouthpiece volume along a lower region of theinternal mouthpiece volume.

In one embodiment, the at least one mouthpiece inlet 402 is locatedtowards a bottom region 404 of the mouthpiece housing 408, and theinhalation outlet 406 is located distal to the at least one mouthpieceinlet 402 at an upper region 405 of the mouthpiece housing. According toyet another embodiment, the mouthpiece 4 comprises a plurality ofchambers 416 a, 416 b that are connected to one another along themouthpiece internal flow path 412. For example, the mouthpiece cancomprise a first chamber 416 a that is internal to a second chamber 416b, and wherein a flow of gas along the mouthpiece internal flow path 412passes through the first chamber and into the second chamber. In oneembodiment, the second chamber at least partially circumferentiallysurrounds the first chamber. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece comprisesone or more internal walls 418 defining the first chamber 416 a, andwherein the second chamber 416 b is defined between the one or moreinternal walls 418 and the mouthpiece housing 408. In one embodiment,lower portions of the first and second chambers 416 a, 416 b comprisewater filtering regions configured to receive and hold water therein.Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first and second chamber areconnected to each other by at least one port 420 formed in the one ormore internal walls 418.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 , the first chamber 416 a comprisesa first chamber inlet 422 that is positioned above the at least one port420 formed in the one or more internal walls, which port may be locatedat or below a level of water in the chambers when water is provided inthe mouthpiece. In one embodiment, a flow of gas exiting the firstchamber inlet 422 is directed by the one or more internal walls 418towards the water filtering region in a lower portion of the firstchamber 416 a, and the gas exits the water filtering region in the lowerportion of the first chamber 416 a through the one or more ports 420 toenter a water filtering region of a lower portion of the second chamber461 b, and wherein gas having water vapor therein exits the waterfiltering region of the lower portion of the second chamber and isdirected by the passage formed between the housing walls 410 andinternal walls 418 to be output from the mouthpiece via the inhalationoutlet. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 , the first chamber inlet422 is at the end of a tube 424 extending upwardly into the firstchamber 416 a, the tube comprising an aperture to receive gas from themouthpiece inlet, and wherein the first chamber inlet is located at alocation that is higher than the port connecting the chambers. Inanother embodiment, the one or more internal walls 481 comprise aconically-shaped internal wall, and the mouthpiece housing comprises aconical housing wall about the conically-shaped internal wall.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 12 , the snap region 401 of themouthpiece can comprises a fastening feature 202 comprising acircumferentially bulging protrusion 430 along a height of the snapregion, where a diameter D of the protrusion 430 exceeds a minimumdiameter D₂ of the recessed region of the base at some point along theheight of the region (e.g., at a point where a sealing member 204 bprotrudes into the recessed region, see FIG. 4A). In certainembodiments, passing the bulging protrusion 430 past the minimumdiameter D₂ of the recessed region causes the snap region to beremovably retained in the recessed region. In one embodiment, themouthpiece further comprises a fastening feature 202 comprising anannular indentation 432 formed about a circumference of the snap regionportion of the mouthpiece. For example, the annular indentation may beconfigured to conformally mate with the circumferential sealing member204 b extending from a sidewall of the recessed region of the base, soas to form a seal therebetween. In one embodiment, the annularindentation can comprise an annular groove and/or annular channel formedin the mouthpiece housing at the snap region. In one embodiment, theannular indention may be located above the at least one mouthpiece gasinlet in the snap region, and/or the circumferentially bulgingprotrusion may have the at least one mouthpiece inlet formed therein.According to yet another embodiment, the fastening feature comprises atapering snap region profile, the snap region having a first regionadjacent the bottom of the mouthpiece housing (e.g., at the bulgingprotrusion) having a first diameter D₁, and a second region that isspaced apart from the first region (e.g. at the annular indentation)having a second diameter D₃, and wherein the diameter of the snap regiondecreases from the first region to the second region (e.g., D3 is lessthan D1).

In one embodiment, a method of using a portable electronic vaporizingdevice as described according to any of the embodiments herein, cancomprise loading vaporizable product into the container, optionally atleast partially filling the mouthpiece with water in water filterregions thereof, activating the heating element to at least partiallyvaporize the product in the container, and inhaling gas exiting themouthpiece outlet, the gas comprising ambient air having vaporizedproduct and water vapor entrained therein.

In one embodiment, aspects of the invention herein comprise a system 30comprising the portable electronic vaporizing device 1, and a wirelesscharging station 20 for charging the portable electronic vaporizingdevice 1. According to certain embodiments, the wireless chargingstation 20 can be a battery-powered charging station that is capable ofcharging the portable electronic vaporizing device 1 from a battery 23contained within the wireless charging station, and without requiring aseparate power source (e.g. without requiring connection of the chargingstation to an electrical outlet during charging of the portableelectronic vaporizing device 1). Thus, according to certain aspects, thewireless charging station may itself be a portable station that allowsfor charging of the device 1 in a variety of different environments,including when out of reach of electrical outlets. According to furtheraspects, the wireless charging station 20 may also be capable ofproviding wireless charging to battery-powered portable electronicdevices other than portable electronic vaporizing devices 1, such as forexample cell phones, toothbrushes, smartwatches, cameras, flashlights,and other portable electronic devices having chargeable batteries.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13J, an embodiment of a base 2 of a portableelectronic vaporizing device 1 that may be used as a part of a system 30including the device 1 and wireless charging station 20 is shownaccording to various different views thereof. According to oneembodiment, the portable electronic vaporizing device 1 used in thesystem 30 can comprise any portable electronic vaporizing devicedescribed herein, such as a portable electronic vaporizing device 1comprising a base 2, atomizer 3 and mouthpiece 4. According to yetanother embodiment, the portable vaporizing device can comprise acombination of base 2, mouthpiece 4, and vaporization assembly 300,which may be for example the atomizer 3 as described elsewhere herein,and/or another assembly such as assembly that provides for vaporizationof a product via inductive heating. Referring to FIGS. 14A-14J, anembodiment of a wireless charging station 20 is shown according tovarious different views thereof. Other embodiments of the wirelesscharging station 20 of than the specific embodiments herein may also beprovided as a part of the system 30. FIGS. 15A-15J show an embodiment ofa system 30 having the portable electronic vaporizing device 1 andwireless charging station 20, where the portable electronic vaporizingdevice is docked with the wireless charging station, for example toprovide wireless charging from the wireless charging station 20 to theportable vaporizing device 1. FIG. 16 provides a top-down and close upview of an embodiment of the system 30, with the portable electronicvaporizing device 1 docked with the charging station.

According to certain embodiments, the system 30 for wireless chargingcan provide for the initiation of automatic wireless charging from thecharging station to the device 1, without requiring any user input suchas pushing of a button or other user signal to initiate the charging.For example, the system 30 may be capable of detecting that a spatialrelationship between the device and station exists that permitscharging, and may automatically initiate charging when this spatialrelationship is detected, without notifying the user or otherwiseawaiting user feedback before initiating the charging. According to yetanother aspect, the system may be capable of powering down and/orpowering up heating or other electrical functions, in relation toidentification of the spatial relationship. Accordingly, embodiments ofthe system may provide for wireless charging of the portable vaporizingdevice from a battery-powered charging station in an efficient andeasy-to use manner that can enhance the user's experience with theportable vaporizing device.

One embodiment of the system 30 comprising the wireless charging station20 and a portable electronic vaporizing device 1 comprises a system isshown in FIG. 17 . According to the embodiment as shown, the portableelectronic vaporizing device 1 comprises a base 2 that comprises adevice battery 33 for charging by the wireless charging station 20. Thewireless charging station 20 can also comprise a charging stationbattery 23 to provide for charging of the device battery 33 from thecharge stored in the charging station battery 23. In the embodiment asshown, the portable vaporizing device 1 and/or base 2 thereof mayfurther be configured to accommodate an atomizer 3 (or othervaporization assembly 300) and/or mouthpiece 4, such as any of thosedescribed herein, and/or alternative suitable components. For example,according to certain embodiments, the portable electronic vaporizingdevice 1 can be configured to accommodate components for thevaporization of products such as oils, waxes and/or products in liquidform. According to other embodiments, the portable electronic vaporizingdevice 1 can be configured to accommodate components for thevaporization of products such as herbs or solid materials. According toone embodiment, the portable electronic vaporizing device is configuredto accommodate an atomizer 3 comprising a heating element 8 configuredto heat a vaporizable product contained therein. For example, theatomizer 3 can comprise a container 7 for receiving the vaporizableproduct therein, which is heated by a heating element 8. According toyet another embodiment, the portable electronic vaporizing device isconfigured to accommodate another type of vaporization assembly 300,such as for example a vaporization assembly 300 that provides inductiveheating of the vaporizable product. The vaporization assembly 300 cansimilarly comprise a container 7, and a heating device 800 configured totransfer energy to the vaporizable product in the container 7 to heatthe vaporizable product and form a vapor therefrom. In one embodiment,the heating device 800 may be capable of transferring energy to thevaporizable product via any one or more of conductive, radiative,convective and inductive heating. For example, in one embodiment, theheating device 800 can comprise a heating element, such as any of thosedescribed elsewhere herein, that is capable of resistively heating thevaporizable product received in the atomizer. The portable electronicvaporizing device 1 can further be configured to accommodate amouthpiece for receiving a flow of gas comprising the vaporizableproduct entrained therein from the atomizer, the mouthpiece comprisingan inhalation outlet through which the flow of gas having thevaporizable product therein can exit the portable electronic device(see, e.g., FIGS. 2-3 and 6A).

According to certain embodiments, the base 2 comprises structures and/orcomponents to provide power to the heating device 800 (e.g. heatingelement 8) and/or other electrical systems in the device 1. For example,the base 2 can comprise the device battery 33 (e.g. a rechargeablelithium-ion battery) for powering the heating device (e.g. heatingelement) and/or other electrical systems of the device, such aslighting, haptics, communications and/or wireless control systems. Asdiscussed above, the base may also contain outlets and/or wires toconnect the device with an electrical outlet and/or other devices andpower supplies external to the device.

According to certain embodiments, the base 2 comprises a wireless chargereceiving system 35 that is configured to receive a wireless charge fromthe wireless charging station 20, to charge the device battery 33. Inone embodiment, the wireless charge receiving system 35 comprises one ormore of an inductive and/or resonant charging system that is capable ofrecharging the device battery 33 using inductively coupled energyprovided by the wireless charging station. For example the wirelesscharge receiving system 35 can comprise one or more inductive coils 37(and/or resonant coils) that are capable of receiving inductivelycoupled energy to re-charge the device battery. An example of a wirelesscharge receiving system 35 that provides charging via inductive couplingis the Qi standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium, whichprovides for wireless power transfer using inductive coupling between atransmitting coil (e.g. in the wireless charging station 20) and areceiving coil (e.g. in the wireless charge receiving system 35 of thedevice base). Other methods of wirelessly coupling energy may also beprovided. The wireless charge receiving system 35 can receive thewireless charge from the wireless charging station 20, and provide thecharge to the device battery 33 for storage thereof and/or powering ofcomponents of the device 1. FIG. 18B shows an embodiment of a base 2comprising an inductive coil 7 provided as a part of the wireless chargereceiving system, and that is located in the docking region 39 of thebase 2.

According to certain embodiments, the base 2 can comprise a dockingregion 39 that is configured to dock with the wireless charging station20. For example, the docking region 39 can comprise a lower region 41 ofthe base 2 that is configured to be received by a receiving region 22 ofthe wireless charging station 20, as shown for example in FIGS. 13A-13Jand FIGS. 14A-14C. According to certain embodiments, the wirelesscharging station 20 comprises a receiving body 24 having the receivingregion 22 that is configured to receive the docking region 39 of thebase, as shown for example in FIGS. 14A-14J. The docking region 39 andreceiving region 22 can comprise various different configurations thatmay be suitable for receiving the docking region of the base 2 at thereceiving region 22, and in certain embodiments the docking region 39and receiving region 22 can be configured such that the base 2 issupported and/or retained by the wireless charging station 20, forexample to provide for uninterrupted charging and/or to provide a secureholder for the base 2. In one embodiment, the docking region 39 of thebase 2 is received on an upper surface 27 of the charging station 20comprising the receiving region 22.

According to certain aspects, the wireless charging station 20 comprisesa wireless charge providing system 26 to provide a wireless charge tothe wireless charge receiving system 35 of the base 2, to charge thedevice battery 23. In one embodiment, wireless charge providing system26 comprises one or more of an inductive and/or resonant charging systemthat is capable of providing inductively coupled energy to the wirelesscharge receiving system 35. For example the wireless charge providingsystem 26 can comprise one or more inductive coils 28 (and/or resonantcoils) that are capable of providing inductively coupled energy that canbe received by the wireless charge receiving system 35 of the base 2. Aswith the wireless charge receiving system 35 of the base, an example ofa wireless charge providing system 26 that provides charging viainductive coupling is the Qi standard developed by the Wireless PowerConsortium, which provides for wireless power transfer using inductivecoupling between a transmitting coil (e.g. in the wireless chargeproviding system 26 of the wireless charging station 20) and a receivingcoil (e.g. in the wireless charge receiving system 35 of the devicebase). Other methods of wirelessly coupling energy may also be provided.The wireless charge providing system 26 can further be powered by thecharging station battery 23, for example without requiring a separateelectrical outlet or power source, such that in effect the wirelesscharge is transferred from the charging station battery 23 to the devicebattery 33, by way of the wireless charge providing and receivingsystems 26, 35. The charging station battery 23 may further be capableof providing power to other systems of the charging station 20, such aslighting, haptics, communications and/or control systems of the chargingstation. The charging station 20 may also comprise outlets and/or wiresfor receiving electrical power from a power supply external to thecharging station.

According to one embodiment, the wireless charging station 20 furthercomprises a wireless charging station sensor 25 configured to detect apredetermined spatial relationship between the wireless charge receivingsystem of the base and the wireless charge providing system of thecharging station. For example, the wireless charging station 20 cancomprise a wireless charging station sensor 25 configured to detect apredetermined spatial relationship between the docking region 39 of thebase 2 and the receiving region 22 of the wireless charging station 20,as shown for example in FIGS. 18A and 19A-19B. For example, the chargingstation sensor 25 may be capable of detecting whether the docking region39 is in a position, or is close to a position, that is suitable forinitiating wireless charging, and/or whether the wireless chargereceiving system and wireless charge providing system are in a positionthat is suitable to initiate wireless charging. According to oneembodiment, the charging station sensor 25 may be capable of detectingwhether the docking region 39 is properly docked with the chargingstation 20, such as by detecting the presence of the docking region 39at the receiving region 22. According to another embodiment, thecharging station sensor 25 may be capable of detecting whether the base2 and charging station 20 are properly aligned with respect to eachother, and/or are in close enough proximity to each other, to providefor wireless charging. The predetermined spatial relationship may be,for example, a relationship that indicates that the base 2 and chargingstation are in a proper alignment and/or in close enough proximity toone another that wireless charging can be provided. The predeterminedspatial relationship may also be, for example, a relationship thatindicates that the wireless charge receiving system and wireless chargeproviding system are in a proper alignment and/or in close enoughproximity to one another that wireless charging can be provided.According to another embodiment, the predetermined spatial relationshipmay be an orientation and/or configuration of the base 2 with respect tothe charging station that is within certain predetermined alignmentlimits, such as a predetermined orientation and/or configuration range.According to yet another embodiment, the predetermined spatialrelationship may be a distance between a portion of the base and aportion of the charging station that is within certain predetermineddistance limits, such as a predetermined range of distances. In oneembodiment, the predetermined spatial relationship detected by thesensor 25 may be an orientation and/or configuration of the wirelesscharge receiving system with respect to the wireless charge providingsystem that is within certain predetermined alignment limits, forexample to provide good charging between the systems. According to yetanother embodiment, the predetermined spatial relationship may be adistance between the wireless charge receiving system of the base andwireless charge providing system of charging station that is withincertain predetermined distance limits.

In one embodiment, where the wireless charge receiving system 35 andwireless charge providing system 26 are capable of wirelesslytransferring charge via inductive and/or resonant coupling, the sensor25 can be capable of detecting whether a predetermined spatialrelationship exists between at least one inductive coil 28 of thewireless charge providing system 26 of the charging station, and atleast one inductive coil 27 of the wireless charge receiving system 35of the base 2, to provide for wireless charge transfer. For example, thesensor 25 may detect whether the inductive coils are within close enoughproximity with one another, and/or are adequately aligned with eachother, within tolerance limits that will allow for wireless chargetransfer. Referring to FIGS. 18A and 19A-19B, embodiments are shown inwhich the charging station 20 comprises a sensor 25 that is configuredto detect whether a predetermined spatial relationship exists betweenthe inductive coils 37, 28 of the base 2 and wireless charging station.In these embodiments, the wireless charging station 20 comprises theinductive coil 28 for providing the wireless charge transfer and thecharging station sensor 25 located within charging station housing 29comprising top housing portion 29 a and bottom housing portion 29 b. Forexample, the top housing portion 29 a can comprise the receiving region22 for receiving the docking region 39 of the base 2, and the bottomhousing portion 29 b may house the charging station battery 23, wirelesscharge providing system 26, sensor 25 and/or other control systems.

According to certain embodiments, the charging station sensor 25 cancomprise any sensor that is capable of detecting the predeterminedspatial relationship between the docking region 39 of the base 2 and thereceiving region 22 of the charging station 20, and/or detecting thepredetermined spatial relationship between the wireless charge receivingsystem and the wireless charge providing system. The charging stationsensor 25 can detect the predetermined relationship to determine whetherthe base 2 and charging station are in position with respect to oneanother to provide for wireless charging, for example. For example, asdiscussed above, the sensor may be capable of detecting whetherinductive coils 37, 28 of the respective charging station and/or base 2are within the predetermined spatial relationship, e.g. alignment and/orproximity with one another, to provide for inductive and/or resonantcharging. As an example, in a case where the base 2 is not docked withthe wireless charging station 20, the sensor detects that thepredetermined spatial relationship does not exist, and so the conditionsfor wireless charging are not met. However, in a case where a user hasdocked the base 2 with the wireless charging station 20, and thepredetermined spatial relationship exists (e.g., the base and stationhave been properly docked to provide for charging), the sensor iscapable of detecting that the predetermined spatial relationship existsand conditions for wireless charging are met. In certain embodiments,the predetermined spatial relationship can exist even when the dockingregion 39 has not been fully received by the receiving region 22, suchas when the docking region 39 has been brought in close enough proximityto the receiving region 22. In other embodiments, full docking andalignment of the docking region 39 and receiving region 22 may berequired to meet the predetermined spatial relationship. That is,depending on the type and nature of the wireless charging to beprovided, the predetermined spatial relationship may require eithertight or looser tolerances for the alignment of the docking region 39with the receiving region. In certain embodiments, docking of thedocking region 39 with the receiving region 22 may be optional, forexample in certain resonant wireless charging techniques thepredetermined spatial relationship may only require general proximity ofthe inductive coils 37, 28 to one another (e.g. within a few centimetersof each other), such that the device battery 33 may be charged even whensimply adjacent to, but not docked with, the charging station 20.According to yet another embodiment, the charging station sensor 25 iscapable of detecting the presence of the docking region 39 of the base 2on the upper surface 27 of the wireless charging station 20.

According to certain embodiments, the charging station sensor 25 cancomprise any one or more a Hall effect sensor, an inductive sensor, alight detector, a pressure sensor, a reed switch, an infrared (IR)proximity sensor and near field communication (NFC) sensor, or othersuitable sensor that is capable of detecting the predetermined spatialrelationship. According to certain embodiments, the Hall Effect sensoris a sensor that is cable of measuring and/or detecting the magnitude ofa magnetic field, and output a voltage in relation to the detectedmagnetic field. In certain embodiments, the Hall Effect sensor can becombined with threshold detection such that the sensor provides anoutput indicative of detection once a magnetic field of a certainmagnitude has been detected. Accordingly, the proximity and/or alignmentof a magnetic field generating element with respect to the Hall Effectsensor can be detected, by detection of whether the magnitude of themagnetic field is large enough to be indicating of proximity and/oralignment. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20 , the charging stationsensor 25 is capable of detecting whether the predetermined spatialrelationship exists by detecting a sensor alignment indicator 43provided in the docking region 39 of the base. The sensor alignmentindicator 43 may be an indicator that is detectable by the chargingstation sensor 25, or that otherwise provides a signal to the sensor 25,to indicate whether the predetermined spatial relationship exists. Forexample, in a case where the charging station sensor 25 comprises a HallEffect sensor that detects the presence of magnetic fields, the sensoralignment indicator 43 can comprise magnetic field generating element45, such as an electromagnet or permanent magnet, that can be detectedby the Hall Effect sensor when the predetermined spatial relationship ismet, such as when the magnetic field generating element is broughtwithin detection range of the Hall Effect sensor. For example, the HallEffect sensor can detect when the docking region 39 of the base has beenreceived on the upper surface 27 of the charging station, and/or is inposition for wireless charging.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 20 , the magnetic field generatingelement 45 is provided in the docking region 39 of the base 2 such that,when the base is docked with the wireless charging station 20, themagnetic field generating element 45 is aligned substantially above theHall Effect Sensor, in a position where the inductive coils 37, 28 arealigned for wireless charging. For example, in the embodiment as shownin FIG. 20 , the Hall Effect sensor (sensor 25) is positioned adjacentto, and at a periphery of, the inductive coil 28, and the magnetic fieldgenerating element 45 is positioned adjacent to, and at a periphery of,the inductive coil 37, such that the Hall Effect sensor detects themagnetic field generating element when the base is docked and the coils28, 37 are aligned for wireless charging. Other sensors other than HallEffect sensors may also be used to detect the predetermined spatialrelationship. For example, a light detector may detect a light signatureof the base region, and/or a pressure sensor may detect pressurecorresponding to proper docking of the base region. As another example,the sensor alignment indicator 43 can comprise, for example, markings orother indicia on the docking region that can be detected to determinethe spatial relationship of the docking region with respect to thecharging station.

According to one embodiment, the charging station sensor 25 and/or thesensor alignment indicator 43 provided in the docking region 39 of thebase 2 may be relatively low power devices, so as to reduce a draw ofpower on the charging station battery 23 and/or device battery 33. Forexample, in one embodiment, the charging station sensor 25 may be ableto continuously detect whether or not the predetermined spatialrelationship exists, without excessively running down charge in thecharging station battery 23, so the charging station can continue tooperate for significant durations of time without having to be pluggedinto an outlet or other external power source. For example, the HallEffect sensor may provide a relatively low power sensor that cancontinuously monitor for the presence of the base docked with thecharging station, and can be coupled with a permanent magnet as thesensor alignment indicator 43 of the base, which does not require anypower from the device battery 33 to be detected by the Hall Effectsensor. Other low power/low power draw charging station sensors 25and/or alignment indicators 43 can also be provided. In one embodiment,the charging station sensor 25 uses less than 5 mA, less than 3 mA, lessthan 2 mA, less than 1.5 mA and/or less than 1 mA of power, for sensingthe predetermined spatial relationship (and assuming the chargingstation battery is not used to wirelessly charge during that time).Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, in the case wherewireless charging occurs via inductive coils provided 37, 28 provided inthe charging station and base, the charging device sensor 25 cancomprise a device that is other than the inductive coil 37 provided forwireless charging. That is, while the inductive coil 28 of the chargingstation may be capable of detecting the presence of inductive coil 37 ofthe base in certain embodiments, the inductive coil 28 in certainembodiments is not used for this purpose, and is maintained in apowered-down or at least low power state, for example when wirelesscharging is not being performed. Accordingly, in certain embodiments,the separate charging station sensor can provide a low power alternativethat allows for continuous detection of whether a predetermined spatialrelationship indicative of suitability for charging is met, withoutrequiring powering of the coils or systems used for transmitting thewireless charge during this detection stage.

According to further embodiments, the wireless charging station furthercomprises a wireless a wireless charging station controller 40configured to activate the wireless charge providing system 26 toautomatically initiate wireless charging to the wireless chargereceiving system 35 of the base 2, in relation to detection of thepredetermined spatial relationship between the docking region 39 of thebase and the receiving region 22 of the charging station (and/ordetection of the predetermined spatial relationship between the wirelesscharge receiving system and wireless charge providing system), by thewireless charging station sensor 25. The wireless charging stationcontroller 40 can comprise, for example, a CPU coupled to memory and/orany other control device and/or circuit that is capable of receivingand/or processing signals from the charging sensor 25, and providesignals to the wireless charge providing system 26 to initiate and/orcontrol a wireless charging process to charge the device battery 33.That is, according to certain embodiments, upon detection of thepredetermined spatial relationship by the sensor 26, e.g. that the basehas been docked with the charging station 20 (or the wireless chargereceiving system and charge providing system are otherwise in sufficientproximity and/or proper alignment with respect to one another, thecontroller 40 provides a signal to the wireless charge providing system26 to initiate charging, for example by powering up the inductive coil28 to inductively couple energy to the coil of the base. According tocertain embodiments, the initiation of wireless charging comprisespowering up the wireless charge providing system 26 and/or coil 28 froma dormant and/or from a low power state, or in other words from a statewhere energy is not being transmitted and/or transmitted only at lowlevels. For example, in certain embodiments, the inductive coil 28 maybe maintained in a powered-down state that substantially does nottransmit energy, until the predetermined spatial relationship isdetected, in order to limit the power draw from the charging systembattery. As an alternate embodiment, the wireless charging stationcontroller 40 may be capable of providing a signal to a user (e.g. vialights, haptics, sound, or display of a message) that the conditions forwireless charging are met, and may wait for further input from the userto initiate wireless charging. However, according to embodiments herein,the wireless charging station is capable of automatically initiatingwireless charging via the wireless charge providing system in responseto detection of the predetermined spatial relationship, withoutrequiring any further input or acknowledgement by the user.

According to certain embodiments, the controller 40 of the wirelesscharging station may be configured to automatically initiate wirelesseither charging immediately upon detection of the predetermined spatialrelationship, or after a predetermined duration of time has passedfollowing detection of the predetermined spatial relationship. That is,the controller 40 may be pre-programmed with a delay before wirelesscharging is initiated, for example to ensure that the user has properlydocked the base, or in case the user docks but then immediately removesthe base from the charging station, and/or to give the user a period oftime in which to provide input to the charging station to de-selectautomatic charging after docking, should the user desire to do so.According to certain embodiments, when the wireless charging between thewireless charge providing system of the charging station and thewireless charge receiving system of the base has been initiated, thewireless charging can be continued until any one or more of a wirelesscharge endpoint is reached, until the user removes the base from thewireless charging station, and/or the user provides input to the base 2and/or wireless charging station 20 to cease charging. For example, inone embodiment, the charging station controller 40 may be configured tocontrol the wireless charge providing system to cease wireless chargingonce a wireless charging end condition is met, which may be, forexample, a predetermined wireless charging duration, or determinationthat adequate charging of the device battery 33 has been performed, suchas by receiving a signal from base and/or receiving input from the user.In one embodiment, the wireless charge providing system may be capableof detecting when the device battery 33 has been adequately charged.Once the wireless charging end condition is met, the wireless chargeproviding system and/or coil 28 may be powered down by the controller 40(and the same may be true for the wireless charge receiving system andcoil 37) to preserve battery charge. In one embodiment, the chargingstation sensor 25 is configured to detect when the docking region hasbeen moved with respect to the receiving region (or the wireless chargereceiving system has otherwise been moved with respect to the wirelesscharge providing system) such that they are no longer in thepredetermined spatial relationship with respect to one another. In thisembodiment, the wireless charging end condition can correspond todetection of the end of the predetermined spatial relationship, in whichcase the wireless charge providing system and/or coil 28 may be powereddown by the controller 40 to preserve battery charge (the wirelesscharge receiving system and coil 37 in the base may also be powereddown). For example, the controller 40 can be configured to automaticallycease wireless charging when the docking region of the base is removedfrom the receiving region of the wireless charging station.

According to further embodiments, the base 2 can further comprise a basesensor 50 that is similarly configured to detect the predeterminedspatial relationship, in order to perform operations of the base inrelation to whether the base is or is not docked for charging with thewireless charging station, as shown for example in FIGS. 21 and 22A-22B.In certain embodiments, the base sensor 50 can comprise any of thesensor configurations and/or devices described for the charging stationsensor 25, to detect the predetermined spatial relationship. Thepredetermined spatial relationship may be detected, for example, tosignal initiation of wireless charging of the base. According to furtherembodiment, the predetermined spatial relationship can be detected bythe base in order to control initiation or ceasing of a heating cyclewith the heating element.

According to certain embodiments, the base sensor 50 can comprise anyone or more of a Hall effect sensor, an inductive sensor, a lightdetector, a pressure sensor, a reed switch, an infrared (IR) proximitysensor and near field communication (NFC) sensor, or other suitablesensor that is capable of detecting the predetermined spatialrelationship. As discussed above, the Hall Effect sensor is a sensorthat is cable of measuring and/or detecting the magnitude of a magneticfield, and output a voltage in relation to the detected magnetic field.In certain embodiments, the Hall Effect sensor can be combined withthreshold detection such that the sensor provides an output indicativeof detection once a magnetic field of a certain magnitude has beendetected. Accordingly, the proximity and/or alignment of a magneticfield generating element with respect to the Hall Effect sensor can bedetected, by detection of whether the magnitude of the magnetic field islarge enough to be indicating of proximity and/or alignment. In oneembodiment, as shown in FIG. 21 , the base sensor 50 is capable ofdetecting whether the predetermined spatial relationship exists bydetecting a sensor alignment indicator 47 provided in the receivingregion 22 of the wireless charging station 20. The sensor alignmentindicator 47 may be an indicator that is detectable by the base sensor50, or that otherwise provides a signal to the sensor 50, to indicatewhether the predetermined spatial relationship exists. For example, in acase where the base sensor 50 comprises a Hall Effect sensor thatdetects the presence of magnetic fields, the sensor alignment indicator47 can comprise magnetic field generating element 45, such as anelectromagnet or permanent magnet, that can be detected by the HallEffect sensor when the predetermined spatial relationship is met, suchas when the magnetic field generating element is brought withindetection range of the Hall Effect sensor. For example, the Hall Effectsensor can detect when the docking region 39 of the base has beenreceived on the upper surface 27 of the charging station, and/or is inposition for wireless charging.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 21 , the magnetic field generatingelement 45 is provided in the receiving region 22 of the wirelesscharging station 20 such that, when the base is docked with the wirelesscharging station 20, the magnetic field generating element 45 of thestation is aligned substantially below the Hall Effect sensor of thebase, in a position where the inductive coils 37, 28 are aligned forwireless charging. For example, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 21 ,the Hall Effect sensor of the base (sensor 50) is positioned adjacentto, and at a periphery of, the inductive coil 37, and the magnetic fieldgenerating element 45 of the wireless charging station 20 is positionedadjacent to, and at a periphery of, the inductive coil 28, such that theHall Effect sensor detects the magnetic field generating element whenthe base is docked and the coils 28,37 are aligned for wirelesscharging. Other sensors other than Hall Effect sensors may also be usedto detect the predetermined spatial relationship. For example, a lightdetector may detect a light signature of the base region, and/or apressure sensor may detect pressure corresponding to proper docking ofthe base region. As another example, the sensor alignment indicator 47of the wireless charging station can comprise, for example, markings orother indicia on the receiving region of the station that can bedetected to determine the spatial relationship of the docking regionwith respect to the charging station.

Referring to FIG. 23 , an embodiment is shown of a sectional top view ofsystem 30 depicting the overlap and/or alignment of the sensors 25, 50and alignment indicators 47, 43 (e.g. magnets) in the base 2 andwireless charging station 20, when the base is docked with the chargingstation 20. In the embodiment as shown, the base sensor 50 is positionedover the charging station alignment indicator 47 (e.g. magnet), and thecharging station sensor 25 is positioned underneath the base stationalignment indicator 43 (e.g. magnet), when the base 2 is docked with thecharging station, such that the docking relationship and conditionssuitable for charging and/or heating functions can be detected.

According to one embodiment, the base sensor 50 and/or the chargingstation sensor alignment indicator 47 provided in the receiving region22 of the charging station 20 may be relatively low power devices, so asto reduce a draw of power on the charging station battery 23 and/ordevice battery 33. For example, in one embodiment, the base sensor 50may be able to continuously detect whether or not the predeterminedspatial relationship exists, without excessively running down charge inthe device battery 30, so the device 20 and/or base 2 can continue tooperate for significant durations of time without having to be pluggedinto an outlet or other external power source. For example, the HallEffect sensor may provide a relatively low power sensor that cancontinuously monitor for the presence of the receiving region of thecharging station, and can be coupled with a permanent magnet as thesensor alignment indicator 47 of the charging station, which does notrequire any power from the device charging station battery 23 to bedetected by the Hall Effect sensor. Other low power/low power draw basesensors 50 and/or alignment indicators 47 can also be provided. In oneembodiment, the base sensor 50 uses less than 5 mA, less than 3 mA, lessthan 2 mA, less than 1.5 mA and/or less than 1 mA of power, for sensingthe predetermined spatial relationship (and assuming the device batteryis not used for heating cycles during that time). Furthermore, accordingto certain embodiments, in the case where wireless charging occurs viainductive coils provided 37, 28 provided in the charging station andbase, the base sensor 50 can comprise a device that is other than theinductive coil 37 provided for wireless charging. That is, while theinductive coil 37 of the base may be capable of detecting the presenceof inductive coil 28 of the charging station in certain embodiments, theinductive coil 37 in certain embodiments is not used for this purpose,and is maintained in a powered-down or at least low power state, forexample when wireless charging is not being performed. Accordingly, incertain embodiments, the separate base sensor can provide a low poweralternative that allows for continuous detection of whether apredetermined spatial relationship indicative of suitability forcharging is met, without requiring powering of the coils or systems usedfor receiving the wireless charge during this detection stage.

In certain embodiments, the base comprises a base controller 58 as shownfor example in FIG. 20 , that is configured to activate and/orde-activate functions of the base in relation to detection of thepredetermined spatial relationship between the docking region 39 of thebase and the receiving region 22 of the charging station (or otherwisebetween the wireless charge receiving system and wireless chargeproviding system), by the base sensor 50. For example, the basecontroller 58 can comprise a heating controller configured to controlthe heating device 800 (e.g. heating element 8) in relation to detectionof the predetermined spatial relationship. The base controller 58 cancomprise, for example, a CPU coupled to memory and/or any other controldevice and/or circuit that is capable of receiving and/or processingsignals from the base sensor 50, and provide signals to componentsand/or systems of the base, such as the heating element 8 and/or thewireless charge receiving system 35. For example, according to certainembodiments, upon detection of the predetermined spatial relationship bythe sensor 50, e.g. that the base has been docked with the chargingstation 20, the controller 58 provides one or more signals to thewireless charge receiving system 35, for example to power-up and/orreceive a charge from the power station. Alternatively, the wirelesscharge receiving system 35 may be capable of receiving the wirelesscharge without requiring detection by the sensor 50, such as for examplewhen wireless charging is initiated by the wireless charge providingsystem of the base in response to detection by the charging stationsensor 25. According to other embodiments, upon detection of thepredetermined spatial relationship by the sensor 50, e.g. that the basehas been docked with the charging station 20, the controller 58 providesone or more signals to control heating with the heating device 800 (e.gheating element 8), such as for example to reduce and/or cease heating,and/or to initiate a heating cycle when the base has been removed fromthe charging station.

For example, in one embodiment, the controller 58 may be configured tosend one or more signals to reduce and/or cease heating by the heatingdevice 900 (e.g. heating element 8), when the predetermined spatialrelationship is detected by the base sensor 50. For example, thecontroller 58 may instruct that heating is reduced and/or completelyhalted, when the base is docked with the charging station, such as forexample to allow for uninterrupted charging of the device battery 33. Incertain embodiments, the controller 58 may automatically reduce and/orhalt heating with the heating device, when the predetermined spatialrelationship is detected by the sensor, for example without requiringany input from the user. As an alternate embodiment, the controller 58may be capable of providing a signal to a user (e.g. via lights,haptics, sound, or display of a message) to request input from the userto reduce and/or cease heating. However, according to embodimentsherein, the base is capable of automatically ceasing and/or reducingheating with the heating device, in response to detection of thepredetermined spatial relationship, without requiring any further inputor acknowledgement by the user.

According to yet another embodiment, the controller 58 may be configuredto send one or more signals to increase heating and/or initiate aheating cycle with the heating device 800 (e.g. heating element 8), whenthe base sensor detects that the predetermined spatial relationship nolonger exists, for example when the docking region of the base and thereceiving region of the charging station are no longer in thepredetermined spatial relationship because the base has been removedfrom the charging station. For example, while the heating device 800 maybe powered down or maintained in a reduced heating state while beingcharged by the charging station, the heating device 800 (e.g. heatingelement 8) may be automatically controlled to increase heating and/orinitiate a heating cycle, when the base has been removed from thecharging station, such as for use by the user. In certain embodiments,the controller 58 may automatically increase heating and/or initiate aheating cycle with the heating device, when the sensor 50 detects thatthe predetermined spatial relationship no longer exists (e.g. that thebase has been removed from the charging station), for example withoutrequiring any input from the user. As an alternate embodiment, thecontroller 58 may be capable of providing a signal to a user (e.g. vialights, haptics, sound, or display of a message) to request input fromthe user to initiate a heating cycle and/or increase heating. However,according to embodiments herein, the base is capable of automaticallyinitiating a heating cycle and/or increasing heating with the heatingdevice, in response to detection by the sensor 50 that the predeterminedspatial relationship no longer exists (e.g., that a change in thespatial relationship between the base and charging station has occurredsuch that the criteria for the predetermined spatial relationship is nolonger met), without requiring any further input or acknowledgement bythe user. According to certain embodiments, to initiate a heating cyclewith the heating device, the controller 58 can control a currentprovided to the heating device (e.g. heating element 8) to provide apredetermined rate of increase of the temperature of the heating device,such as for example to achieve a suitable temperature for vaporizationof a vaporizable product provided in atomizer of device 1 having thebase 2.

According to certain embodiments, the controller 58 of the base may beconfigured to either automatically increase heating and/or initiate aheating cycle either immediately upon detection that the predeterminedspatial relationship no longer exists, or after a predetermined durationof time has passed following detection that the predeterminedrelationship no longer exists. For example, the controller 58 may bepre-programmed with a delay before heating is initiated and/orincreased, for example to ensure that the base has been properly removedfrom the charging station, or in a case where the user undocks but thenimmediately re-docks the base, and/or to give the user a period of timein which to provide input to the base regarding heating, should the userdecide to do so. Similarly, according to certain embodiments, thecontroller 58 of the base may be configured to either automaticallyreduce and/or cease heating by the heating device 800, eitherimmediately upon detection of the predetermined spatial relationship, orafter a predetermined duration of time has passed following detection ofthe predetermined spatial relationship. For example, the controller 58may be pre-programmed with a delay before heating is reduced and/orceased, for example to ensure that the user has properly docked thebase, or in case the user docks but then immediately removes the basefrom the charging station, and/or to give the user a period of time inwhich to provide input to the base to maintain heating after docking,should the user desire to do so.

Thus, the controller 58 may control heating with the heating device(e.g. heating element 8) in relation to a change in the arrangementbetween the base and charging station, reflected in the detection of theexistence or absence of the predetermined spatial relationship. Forexample, in the case where a Hall Effect sensor is provided as thesensor 50 of the base and is paired with a magnet in the chargingstation, when the base is removed from the charging station, the sensor50 detects that a magnetic field from the magnet is no longer present,and thus the criteria for the predetermined spatial relationship is nolonger met. Conversely, when the base is brought back for docking withthe charging station, the sensor 50 detects the magnetic field from thecharging station magnet is present, and the criteria for thepredetermined spatial relationship is met. The controller may thusprovide signals to automatically de-activate and/or reduce heating whilethe base is re-charging, and/or to automatically re-activate and/orincrease heating when the base has been removed from the chargingstation, so the device can be prepared for use by the user. In certainembodiments, the controller 58 may be configured to provide signals tohave the base automatically enter a “stand-by” mode with reduced and/orceasing of heating during charging, and automatically enter a “ready”mode where heating has been initiated and/or increased to provide forvaporization of the product, when the base is removed from the chargingstation.

Referring again to FIGS. 14A-14J, 15A-15J and 16 , according to certainembodiments, the receiving region 22 of the charging station isconfigured to receive the docking region 39 of the base in a predefinedorientation of the docking region with respect to the receiving region.For example, the receiving region 22 may be shaped in relation to thebase 2 and/or docking region 39, such that docking of the base isdirectional with respect to the charging station. In the embodiments asshown, the charging station comprises sidewalls 60 that define thereceiving region 22, the sidewalls 60 being configured to accommodatethe docking region in the predefined orientation, where the chargingstation further comprises an aperture 61 in the sidewalls 60 that isconfigured to pass the docking region therethrough to be received by thereceiving region 22. The sidewalls 60 may, according to certainembodiments, help to retain the base 2 at the receiving region. Thesidewalls 60 can also be contoured to receive the docking region 39 ofthe base in a predefined orientation that facilitates detection by thesensors 25, 50 of the predetermined spatial relationship. For example,the sidewall contour and/or shape may be selected to conform orotherwise fit to a first side 63 of the base (see, e.g., FIG. 15G), suchthat the base fits with the receiving region and/or sidewalls of thereceiving region only when the first side 63 is oriented facing thesidewalls (e.g. other sides of the base do not fit with the receivingregion and/or sidewalls when oriented facing the sidewalls), to providea directional fit of the base that assists the user in properly dockingthe base in a position where, for example, charging coils of the baseand charging station are aligned. In one version, the sidewalls 60 areangled inwardly towards a center of the charging station at an anglethat accommodates an angle of the first side 63 of the base, but thatdoes not accommodate an angle of a second opposing side 64 of the base(see, e.g., FIG. 13E), such as for example where the first side of thebase is more angled but the second side is more straight, such that thebase is required to be directionally docked with the first side facingthe sidewalls. The sidewalls 60 may also be provided to angle inwardlyto at least partially cover and accommodate a lower portion of theangled first side 63 of the base, and help to retain the base on thecharging station. As another example, in the case where the chargingstation sensor 25 (or the base sensor 50) comprises a Hall effectsensor, and the docking region 39 (or receiving region 22) comprises amagnetic field generating element, and the receiving region and/orsidewalls may be configured to receiving the docking region of the basein an orientation such that the Hall effect sensor and magnetic fieldgenerating element of the respective base and/or charging station arealigned with one another, such that the predetermined spatialrelationship can be detected. In yet another embodiment, the receivingregion 22 comprises a pocket 62 or depression that is sized to receive alower portion 41 of the base, and that may also position and retain thebase on the charging station. According to some embodiments, this pocketand/or depression may also be directional so as to provide apredetermined alignment between the base and charging station.

Referring to FIGS. 24A-24B, according to yet another embodiment, thedevice 1 can comprise a vaporization assembly 300 such as an atomizer 3having a container 7 to receive a vaporizable product therein, such asfor example as discussed above, and can further comprise a temperaturesensor 70 configured to detect a temperature of any one or more of thecontainer and/or vaporizable product held within the container 7. In theembodiment as shown in FIGS. 24A-24B, the temperature sensor 70 isdisposed below a bottom surface 310 of the bottom wall 312 container 7to provide temperature sensing in relation to the vaporizable product atthe bottom surface 310, while also shielding the temperature sensor 70from contact with vaporizable product in the container. According tocertain embodiments, the temperature sensor 70 is configured to providea signal to the heating controller 58 in relation to a temperaturedetected by the temperature sensor, for example to provide feedbackcontrol of a heating device 800 such as a heating element 8 in responseto the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. For example, theheating controller 58 may adjust a current provided to the heatingelement 8 in response to a signal provided by the temperature sensor 70,such as for example to reduce and/or increase heating by the heatingelement to achieve a predetermined temperature, and/or to initiate aheating and/or cooling program based on stored heating and/or coolingalgorithms. According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor 70comprises at least one of a thermocouple and a resistance thermometer(RTD) capable of being placed in thermal contact with the bottom wall312 of the container, such as for example by adhering the temperaturesensor 70 to the bottom wall 312 with a thermally conducting cement.

In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 24A-24B, the temperature sensor 70is located below a bottom wall 312 of the container 7, and is disposedradially internally to a heating element 7 comprising an annular heatingring that also is disposed below the bottom wall 312 of the container.Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, the temperature sensor 70can be at least partially thermally shielded from the heating element 8by thermal shielding material 810 provided between the temperaturesensor 70 and the heating element 8, for example such that thetemperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 reflects thetemperature of the container 7 and/or vaporizable product, as opposed tothe temperature of the adjacent heating element. In the embodiment asshown, the bottom wall 312 of the container 7 comprises a compartment812 for receiving the temperature sensor at the bottom surface 310, thecompartment 812 comprising sidewalls 814 that thermally shield thetemperature sensor from the heating element. The sidewalls 814 cancomprise, for example, the same or different thermally shieldingmaterial as the container walls, and may be unitary with and/or separatefrom the bottom wall 312 of the container.

Referring to FIGS. 25A-25B, 26 and 27A-27B, in one embodiment, thetemperature sensor 70 comprises at least one electrical lead 72 thatterminates in one or more temperature sensor atomizer pins 74, which isin turn configured to electrically connect to one or more temperaturesensor receiving pins 76 located in the first recessed region 203 a ofthe base that is configured to receive the atomizer 8. The connectionbetween the pins 74, 76 allows for electrical signals to be provided inrelation to the detected temperature to the heating controller 58.According to yet another embodiment, the atomizer pin(s) 74 aredetachable from the receiving pins 76, such that the temperature sensor70 is removable with the atomizer 8 when the atomizer is removed fromthe base. Furthermore, in certain embodiments the container 7 may befixed within the atomizer 8 (e.g. is affixed within the atomizer suchthat it is not readily removable), for example such that the temperaturesensor 70 can be maintained in relationship to the bottom wall of thecontainer even when the atomizer is removed from the base. According toyet another embodiment, the heating element 8 comprises at least oneelectrical lead 77 that terminates in a heating element atomizer pin 78configured to electrically connect to a heating element receiving pin 79located in the first recessed region 203 a of the base that isconfigured to receive the atomizer 8. The connection between the pins78, 79 can allow for a current to be received for heating the heatingelement in response to control by the heating controller 58. As with thetemperature sensor 70, the heater atomizer pin(s) 78 are detachable fromthe heater receiving pins 79, such that the heating element 8 isremovable with the atomizer 8 when the atomizer is removed from thebase. According to certain embodiments, one or more, and even all, ofthe heating element atomizer pin 78, heating element receiving pin 79,temperature sensor atomizer pin 74, and temperature sensor receiving pin76 are configured to be placed in respective electrical connection withone another via connection of the atomizer 8 to the base (e.g.connection of the atomizer 8 to the base in the first recessed region203 a of the case. FIG. 28 further depicts an embodiment of the atomizer8 in an exploded view form, having the temperature sensor 70, heatingelement 9, and electrical connection pins.

Referring to FIGS. 29A-29B, and 30A-30B, according to one embodiment,the atomizer 8 comprises an engagement feature 816 configured to engagea receiving feature 818 located in the first recessed region 203 a ofthe base 2, such as on a threading block 820. For example, theengagement feature 816 may engage the receiving feature 818 by rotationof the atomizer with respect to the receiving feature 818. Theengagement feature and receiving feature may further configured withrespect to the pins 76, 74, 78 and 79, such that the heating element andtemperature sensor pins in the atomizer are aligned and in electricalcommunication with their respective pins in recessed region 203 a of thebase (e.g., on a top surface of the threading block 820), when theengagement feature and receiving feature are engaged. For example, theymay be aligned such that by rotation of the atomizer to engage theengagement feature with the receiving feature, the pins are brought intoand held in alignment with each other to provide electrical connectiontherebetween. In one embodiment, the engagement feature and receivingfeature comprise a bayonet locking mechanism to engage the atomizerwithin the first recessed region of the base in a configuration wherethe heating element and temperature sensor pins in the atomizer arealigned and in electrical communication with their respective pins inthe first recessed region. In the bayonet locking mechanism, slots oneither of the atomizer or threading block engage a protrusion on theother of the atomizer or threading block, such that rotation createsengagement between the two components that can be released by rotationin the opposite direction. The atomizer 8 can thus, according to certainembodiments, be securely but detachably attached to the base 2, whilealso providing for good electrical connection of the temperature sensor70 and heating element 8.

According to yet another embodiment, an atomizer assembly 850 isprovided for the portable electronic vaporizing device 1, as shown forexample in FIGS. 31A-31B, FIGS. 32A-32I, and FIGS. 33A-33B. The atomizer8 can comprise any of the atomizer embodiments described herein, or anyother suitable atomizers. According to certain embodiments, the atomizer8 can generally comprise an atomizer housing 10 configured toaccommodate a container 7 therein, the container 7 being capable ofholding a vaporizable product. The atomizer 8 can further comprise anatomizer inlet 301 configured to receive a flow of gas into the atomizerhousing 10, such as into the container 7 held in the atomizer housing10. The atomizer 8 can further comprise the heating element 8 that iscapable of heating the vaporizable product held in the container.According to the embodiment as shown, the atomizer further comprises oneor more atomizer outlets 309 capable of exhausting the flow of gashaving vaporizable product therein from the atomizer.

According to certain embodiments, the atomizer assembly 850 or othervaporization assembly 300 further comprises a cap 17 (e.g. carb cap)that is configured to releasably cover the atomizer inlet 301 or otherinlet to a vaporization assembly. According to certain embodiments, thecap 17 can comprise a multi-part piece, at least a portion of which isfitted in the atomizer inlet 301 to releasably cover the inlet. In oneembodiment, the cap 17 comprises a first inner cap portion 852comprising an outer sidewall 853, and a second outer cap portion 854comprising an inner sidewall 855 that at least partly circumferentiallysurrounds the outer sidewall 853 of the inner cap portion 852. The cap17 further comprises at least one channel 860 formed in between thefirst inner cap portion 852 and the second outer cap portion 854, thechannel 860 having first and second opposing ends 862 a,862 b (see,e.g., FIG. 36 ). According to certain embodiments, the cap 17 comprisesa cap inlet 864 configured to flow gas into the first end 862 a of thechannel 860, and comprises a cap outlet 866 to configured to exhaust gasfrom the second end 862 b of the channel 860. Accordingly, in certainembodiments herein, the cap is configured to flow gas therethrough fromthe cap inlet to the cap outlet via the channel, to introduce gas intothe atomizer, when the cap is positioned to cover the atomizer inlet orinlet of another vaporization assembly 300. FIGS. 34A-36G, 35A-35B, 36,and 37A-37B depict further embodiments of the multi-part cap 17 havingthe channel 860 formed therein.

According to one embodiment, the outer sidewall 853 of the first innercap portion 852 and the inner sidewall 855 of the second outer capportion 854 together form channel sidewalls defining the channel 860.For example, as shown in FIG. 36 , according to one embodiment the innersidewall 855 of the second outer cap portion 854 comprises a groove 868formed therein that forms at least a portion of the channel 8. As alsoshown in FIG. 36 , according to one embodiment, the channel 860 cancomprises an at least partly helical channel from the cap inlet 864 tothe cap outlet 866. FIGS. 37A-37B further depict embodiments showing thecap 17 as rotated 90 degrees per figure, to show an example of a helicalprofile of the channel 860. The helical profile can be advantageous interms of introduction of gas into the atomizer and/or container, incertain embodiments, for example by providing a semicircular and/orangled flow of gas into the atomizer and/or container with respect tothe bottom of the container, that facilitates the entraining ofvaporizable product therein, as opposed to a flow directed perpendicularto the bottom wall 312 of the container, which in certain cases cancause splattering of the product. For example, according to oneembodiment, the channel 860 is configured to introduce gas towards asidewall 870 of the container 7 accommodated in the atomizer housing, asopposed to directed in a perpendicular flow towards the bottom wall 312of the container. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the cap 17can comprise one or a plurality of gas flow channels 860 formed betweenthe first inner cap portion and second outer cap portion.

According to one embodiment, the first inner cap portion and secondouter cap portion can be formed of different materials. For example, thesecond outer cap portion can be, in certain embodiments, be formed of amaterial that is more pliant and/or flexible than a material used toform the inner cap portion. The second outer cap portion may also beformed of a material that is capable of sealing to the internalsidewalls of the atomizer inlet, e.g. by friction, to releasably holdthe cap over the inlet 130. In one embodiment, the second outer capportion comprises at least one of plastic, rubber and silicone. Inanother embodiment, the first inner cap portion comprises at least oneof glass, ceramic, metal plastic, rubber, silicone and wood. In yetanother embodiment, the first inner cap portion comprises a materialthat is non-porous. In one embodiment, the first inner cap portioncomprises a clear or translucent material that allows viewing of aninterior of the atomizer and/or container when the cap is positioned tocover the atomizer inlet 103. In the embodiments depicted herein, eachof the inner cap portion and outer cap portion respectively comprisesingle part formed of a single material (e.g., they are eachrespectively unitary pieces that together form the whole of the cap).However, in further embodiments, it may also be the case that one ormore of the inner and outer cap portions are themselves formed of aplurality of portions. For example, the second outer-cap portion can bea multi-part portion, and/or the inner cap portion can be a multi-partportion, and or the inner and/or outer cap portions can comprise furtherfeatures and/or decorations added thereto.

According to one embodiment, the second outer cap portion is locatedradially externally to the first inner cap portion, and surrounds acircumferential periphery of the first inner cap portion. According toanother embodiment, the first inner cap portion and second outer capportion are separable from one another, but may be held together byfrictional forces between the outer sidewall of the first inner capportion and the inner sidewall of the second outer cap portion. Forexample, the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portion may beseparated from one another by pulling the first inner cap portion out ofthe second outer cap portion, for example to provide for cleaning orreplacement of one or more of the cap portions. According to oneembodiment, one or more of the first inner cap portion and second outercap portion can comprise at least one feature 880 on a surface thereofto hold the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portiontogether. For example, referring to FIGS. 31A and 33A, in one embodimentthe inner cap portion 852 comprises a groove 882 formed along the outersidewall 853 thereof that engages with a rib 884 formed on the innersidewall 855 of the outer cap portion to register a longitudinalposition of the first inner cap portion with respect to the second outercap portion. For example, the groove 882 and rib 884 may inhibitlongitudinal movement of the inner cap portion with respect to the outercap portion once the groove and rib are engaged, to retain the portionsin engagement with one another until a user exerts sufficient force todisengage the inner and outer portions from one another.

According to yet another embodiment, the second outer cap portion canfurther comprise one or more sealing features 886 configured to engagewith the atomizer housing 10 about the atomizer inlet 301 to releasableretain the cap 17 in the atomizer inlet 301. For example, according tocertain embodiments, the second outer cap portion can comprise one ormore ribs 887 about a circumference of an outer wall 880 of the secondouter cap portion (see, e.g., FIG. 34E), to engage with the atomizerhousing 10 about the atomizer inlet. In one embodiment, the second outercap portion comprises a lower region 882 a configured to be disposedwithin the atomizer inlet 301, and comprises an upper region 882 bconfigured to rest on an upper surface of the atomizer housing 10, andwherein the lower region comprises one or more features 886 configuredto engage with the atomizer inlet 301 and retain the cap in a coveredposition on the atomizer inlet (see, e.g., FIG. 34D).

According to further embodiments the atomizer assembly, vaporizationassembly and/or cap may be used with any of the systems and/or portableelectronic vaporizing devices described herein.

According to yet another embodiment, a method of use of the systems,portable vaporizing devices, wireless charging stations, and/or atomizerassemblies herein may be provided. For example, a method of use of asystem, wireless charging station, portable electronic device and/orportable electronic vaporizing device can comprising positioning thebase in the predetermined spatial relationship with respect to thewireless charging station to automatically initiate wireless charging ofthe device battery. According to yet another embodiment, a method cancomprise removing the base from the wireless charging station toautomatically initiate activation of a heating cycle of the portableelectronic vaporizing device. Other methods of using the devices,systems and assemblies herein can also be provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap configured to releasably cover an inlet ofa vaporization assembly for a portable electronic vaporizing device,wherein the vaporization assembly of the portable electronic vaporizingdevice comprises a housing configured to accommodate a containertherein, the container being capable of holding a vaporizable product,an inlet configured to receive a flow of gas into the housing, a heatingdevice capable of heating the vaporizable product held in the container,and one or more outlets capable of exhausting the flow of gas havingvaporizable product therein from the vaporization assembly, wherein thecap comprises: a first inner cap portion comprising an outer sidewall; asecond outer cap portion comprising an inner sidewall that at leastpartly circumferentially surrounds the outer sidewall of the inner capportion; a channel formed in between the first inner cap portion and thesecond outer cap portion, the channel having first and second opposingends; a cap inlet configured to flow gas into the first end of thechannel; and a cap outlet configured to exhaust gas from the second endof the channel; wherein the cap is configured to flow gas therethroughfrom the cap inlet to the cap outlet via the channel, to introduce gasinto the vaporization assembly, when the cap is positioned to cover theinlet of the vaporization assembly.
 2. The cap of claim 1, wherein theheating device is capable of transferring energy to the vaporizableproduct via any one or more of resistive, conductive, convective andinductive heating.
 3. The cap of claim 1, wherein the vaporizingassembly comprises an atomizer comprising: an atomizer housingconfigured to accommodate the container therein, the container beingcapable of holding the vaporizable product; an atomizer inlet configuredto receive a flow of gas into the atomizer housing; a heating elementcapable of heating the vaporizable product held in the container; andone or more atomizer outlets capable of exhausting the flow of gashaving vaporizable product therein from the atomizer.
 4. The cap ofclaim 1 wherein the outer sidewall of the first inner cap portion andthe inner sidewall of the second outer cap portion together form channelsidewalls defining the channel.
 5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the innersidewall of the second outer cap portion comprises a groove formedtherein that forms at least a portion of the channel.
 6. The cap ofclaim 1, wherein the channel comprises an at least partly helicalchannel from the cap inlet to the cap outlet.
 7. The cap of claim 1,wherein the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portion areformed of different materials.
 8. The cap of claim 7, wherein the secondouter cap portion is formed of a material that is more pliant than amaterial used to form the inner cap portion.
 9. The cap of claim 7,wherein the second outer cap portion comprises at least one of plastic,rubber, and silicone, and the first inner cap portion comprises at leastone of glass, ceramic, metal, plastic, rubber, silicone and wood. 10.The cap of claim 7, wherein the second outer cap portion comprises oneor more sealing features configured to engage with the inlet of thevaporization assembly to releasable retain the cap in the inlet.
 11. Thecap of claim 7, wherein the second outer cap portion comprises one ormore ribs about a circumference of an outer wall of the second outer capportion, to engage with the inlet of the vaporization assembly.
 12. Thecap of claim 7 wherein the first inner cap portion comprises a clear ortranslucent material that allows viewing of an interior of the containerwhen the cap is positioned to cover the inlet of the vaporizationassembly.
 13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the channel is configured tointroduce gas towards a sidewall of the container accommodated in thehousing.
 14. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first inner cap portion andsecond outer cap portion are held together by frictional forces betweenthe outer sidewall of the first inner cap portion and the inner sidewallof the second outer cap portion.
 15. The cap of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portioncomprise at least one feature on the outer sidewall of the first innercap portion and/or the inner sidewall of the second outer cap portion tohold the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portion together.16. The cap of claim 15, wherein the first inner cap portion comprises agroove formed along the outer sidewall thereof that engages with a ribformed on the inner sidewall of the second outer cap portion to registera longitudinal position of the first inner cap portion with respect tothe second outer cap portion together.
 17. The cap of claim 1, whereinthe second outer cap portion is located radially externally to the firstinner cap portion, and surrounds a circumferential periphery of thefirst inner cap portion.
 18. The cap of claim 1, wherein the secondouter cap portion comprises a lower region configured to be disposedwithin the inlet of the vaporization assembly, and comprises an upperregion configured to rest on an upper surface of the housing, andwherein the lower region comprises one or more features configured toengage with the inlet of the vaporization assembly and retain the cap ina covered position on the inlet.
 19. The cap of claim 18, wherein thesecond outer cap portion comprises one or more ribs about acircumference of an outer wall of the second outer cap portion, toengage with the inlet of the vaporization assembly.
 20. The cap of claim1, wherein the first inner cap portion and second outer cap portion areseparable from one another.
 21. The cap of claim 1, wherein the capcomprises a plurality of gas flow channels formed between the firstinner cap portion and second outer cap portion.
 22. The cap of claim 1,wherein the second outer cap portion is formed of a material that iscapable of sealing to internal sidewalls of the inlet of thevaporization assembly by friction, to releasably hold the cap over theinlet.
 23. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first inner cap portion andthe second outer cap portion are formed of a material that is capable ofholding them together by frictional forces between the outer sidewall ofthe first inner cap portion and the inner sidewall of the second outercap portion.
 24. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first inner cap portioncomprises a groove formed along the outer sidewall thereof and thesecond outer cap portion comprises a rib formed on the inner sidewallthereof, the groove and the rib, when engaged, inhibit longitudinalmovement of the first inner cap portion with respect to the second outercap portion, to retain the portions in engagement with one another.